Northland Baptist Bible College
Transcription
Northland Baptist Bible College
A Parent’s Guide To COLLEGE & FINANCIAL AID PLANNING Our Publishing Partner: Table of Contents 3 Presidential Foreword A welcome message from the president of Northland Baptist Bible College 4 Inside NBBC This article gives an overview of NBBC’s mission and how it prepares students for life. The helpful sidebar includes details on enrollment, majors, and contact information. 5 Best Deal or Best Fit Your child is likely looking at all types of colleges, but how are they to know what school is the best fit? Encourage them to look beyond the basics of cost and location to make sure they find a place where they will be loved and personally discipled. 6 Why Should I Consider a Bible College? What makes a Bible college unique? Learn how the model of a Bible college education revolves around an intensive understanding of God’s Word, specializing in coursework crucial for successful spiritual warfare and “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 8 Let’s Make a Plan Does the maze of college financial aid paperwork have you feeling lost and confused? These tips from the NBBC financial aid office will help you through the process. 10 Who is Eligible for Financial Aid? Does your student qualify for financial aid? Check this list of requirements to see what their status is, as well as how you may be expected to contribute toward your student’s education bills. 11 Tax Incentives for Education-Related Expenses Tax incentives are one way to help handle the burden of higher education costs. Learn about the programs you and your student may qualify for here. 11 Northland’s Loan Philosophy A college education is a big investment, and sometimes loans are required to pay the bills. This article details Northland’s philosophy on student loans and how the college strives to help students be fiscally responsible so that they can enter the ministry with as little debt burden as possible. 12 Top Ten Financial Aid Questions Financial Aid Resources NBBC Resources www.nbbc.edu/financialaid https://nbbc.vfao.com Federal Student Aid Information Center (800) 4-FED-AID Helpful Web Sites www.fafsa.ed.gov www.pin.ed.gov www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov www.finaid.org Get the answers to your pressing financial aid questions here! 14 Key Milestones Learn the key steps in the college search and admissions process. Use the reference calendar to remind yourself of milestones that you must meet to get into your college of choice. 8 Terms You Need to Know Sometimes the world of college financial aid seems to be based in another language. Learn these crucial terms early on to ensure that sure you make the right moves. 2 start the process of financial aid planning www.NBBC.edU/FINANCIAL AID ® NBBCP/15k/Ww/H/Y01 Unauthorized duplication is prohibited by law. Presidential Foreword Dear Fellow Parent, Having seen one child graduate from college and marry, another graduate and pursue missions, and our last in college now, my wife and I can certainly identify with how you are feeling as you help your son or daughter with this exciting step in his or her future. As we prayerfully sought God’s will concerning the college selection process, we also eagerly sought solid advice and resources to help us in determining God’s best for each of our children. With this in mind, Northland has compiled the information in this guide in order to help you during this challenging time in your life. Some of the articles will give practical advice and information about the financial considerations of college, while other articles will focus on providing guidance for helping your child know God’s will for his life. The mission of Northland Baptist Bible College is to prepare the next generation of servant-leaders for Great Commission living. This is done through a core curriculum that is firmly established on biblical truth, preparing students to minister effectively in a changing world. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to a “life touching life” philosophy of personal discipleship, applying the classroom to practical daily living. None of us have reached our goal of total Christ-likeness yet, and as we disciple your son or daughter, God continues to touch and mold our lives as well through them. I am sure you, like my wife and me, have experienced this phenomenon again and again as parents. I love the opportunity God has given me to serve in a college where this happens with our students, faculty, and staff multiple times every day all over campus. “Life touching life” occurs not only in the classrooms but also in the kitchen, the athletic facilities, the offices, and every place the Northland family members interact on a regular basis. I hope you will prayerfully consider trusting us with the education and further discipleship of your child. Our desire at Northland and with this Parent’s Guide is to serve and partner with you as you assist your child not only to the calling and college God has for them, but also to a Word-filled, Spirit-filled life of service and abandonment for the glory of God. Please let us know if we can be of help to you in any way as you anticipate all the great and mighty things God will do in the life of your child. Your friend and fellow servant, “The mission of Northland Baptist College is to prepare the next generation of servant-leaders for Great Commission living.” Matt Olson President www.NBBC.edu 3 Inside NBBC Overview W10085 Pike Plains Road Dunbar, WI 54119 Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND Web: www.nbbc.edu Admissions Office Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND E-mail: [email protected] Financial Aid Office Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND E-mail: [email protected] Overview Institutional control: Private Religious affiliation: Baptist Setting: Rural Number of undergraduate students: 600 Number of graduate students: 200–250 Financial Aid Grants offered: Yes Scholarships offered: Yes Loans offered: Yes Most popular areas of study: 1. Secondary Education 2. Biblical Counseling 3. Elementary Education 4. Bible 5. Missions 6. Family and Women’s Ministry God has given Northland Baptist Bible College a burden for developing students with a unique, biblical philosophy of life and ministry. Many people call this the “Northland Heart,” a philosophy that emphasizes total abandonment of self in exchange for a dynamic relationship with God, resulting in servant-leadership. This biblical philosophy includes a strong commitment to the Great Commission through evangelism and discipleship. In any institution of higher education, students always learn more about a philosophy of life from relationships with faculty members, staff members, and other students than from classroom lessons; therefore, Northland’s faculty members strive to nurture this ministry philosophy not only by what they teach, but also by how they live. Northland teaches this philosophy through the core curriculum, carefully designed classes, and programs that immerse students in biblical life and ministry. Professors weave this philosophy into the course structure of any major a student pursues. The “Northland Heart” is also reproduced in students through the godly faculty and staff members and the students’ commitment to the “Life Touching Life” principle of discipleship and personal pursuit of God. Northland’s Mission Northland’s mission, since its beginning in 1976, has been to glorify God by preparing the next generation of servant-leaders for Great Commission living. Northland stands firmly in the stream of Baptist faith and practice. 4 get to know us! StarT By becoming a northland vip at: vip.nbbc.edu The founder of the college, Dr. Paul Patz, and the subsequent administrations have recognized the need for a Bible college that can help to rekindle a fervor and zeal for the ministry, both at home and abroad. Northland rejects the idea of a value-free education and believes all truth is centered in Jesus Christ. Consequently, the college believes that all knowledge should be filtered through Him and His Word, the Bible. The Bible should be the philosophical foundation for all subject matter, and it is a faithful guide for all subject matter and instruction. The goal of Northland is to provide an atmosphere of academic excellence and daily discipleship to prepare individuals with both “hands of skill and hearts for God” (Psalm 78:72). Faculty members are committed to training individuals whose chief desire is to serve the Lord so they will be motivated to serve others in their chosen field of ministry. Preparation for Life For students who are living cross-centered lives and who are seeking to fulfill their calling through full-time ministry, Northland is the perfect place to be trained. Students enjoy the Christ-centered atmosphere and the fellowship of hundreds of others who share the same passion for God. The godly men and women who compose the faculty are involved in students’ lives on a one-on-one basis, and they seek to prepare students to serve wherever God leads them. Students can visit the Northland VIP Page at www.nbbc.edu to create a personalized Web page tailored to their specific interests. For more information, call (888) 4-NORTHLAND. Best Deal or Best Fit? W hen it comes to avoiding exercise, I have many excuses. One classic defense is that my running shoes hurt my feet. The fact is that when I got those shoes, they were cheaper than the ones that really worked for me. As you can see, the best deal is not always the best fit. As you and your child contemplate and pray about college selection, remember that just because one college is a better deal doesn’t mean that it is God’s will or the best fit for your student. The best deal may have a lower price, be closer to home, have a bigger library, and have fewer or more rules. Maybe the best deal has more students or better food or even more guys or girls to offer a future in-law. Maybe it seems like the best deal because all your friends’ children will be attending classes there. Just as with my shoes, the best deal may not be the best fit. Which is really more important? The best fit is the college that is most compatible with your child’s personal goals for the future. The best fit mixes higher education with a heart for Christian service and a pursuit of God that you believe your child will actively respond to. The best fit offers your child balanced structure that enhances the biblical principles that have been learned at home. The best fit is the college that matches your child’s personality and life experiences. The best fit is where your child will feel loved as an individual and will be personally discipled by a faculty and staff you trust. Remember that the best fit probably won’t seem like the best deal because real spiritual growth and learning are never easy. They require both the student and the parent to sacrifice, to die to self, and to follow Christ. Don’t miss out on providing the best spiritual growth and education for your child by choosing—like me and my cheaper shoes—the best deal over the best fit. Continue to pray about what college is the best fit for your student. Visit the colleges you are interested in, take a good look, and ask a lot of questions. We hope Northland is a college you are strongly considering. We would love the opportunity to partner with you in helping to increase your child’s desire for God while expanding his ability to serve Him with the best education possible. By Mike Glanzer The associate vice president for student advancement at Northland Baptist Bible College. More articles like this one can be found on your personalized vip page. login at: vip.nbbc.edu. 5 Why Should I Consider a Bible College? The Value of the Traditional Bible College Model I ce cream! You just finished your supper and now you’re craving some delicious ice cream. Where can you satisfy your craving? Wal-Mart, right? Wal-Mart certainly has their own brand name of this popular dessert, but when you have a hankering for ice cream, Wal-Mart is most likely not the first place you’d go. Instead your mind takes you to places like Coldstone Creamery, Marble Slab, or Baskin Robbins. These companies specialize in ice cream, and frankly, they do ice cream better! They focus their energies on preparing their ice cream in a unique way and making it the best experience your tongue can possibly have. Their ice cream is arguably better than Wal-Mart’s because their resources go into researching and developing primarily ice cream and not a variety of other products. Specialization has its rewards. Choosing your after-supper dessert is one thing, but what about your education? What could happen if this idea of specialization were applied to your preparation to fulfill God’s call? The traditional Bible college model implements the philosophy of specialization, making it the best place to prepare the next generation of full-time ministers for the harvest of souls. The traditional Bible college provides the exceptional general education courses necessary for a well-rounded degree. In fact, the mission of a Bible college demands that it offer relevant general education courses to prepare God’s servants for ministry. Nevertheless, what sets the Bible college apart from its liberal arts sister schools is the depth of biblical and theological studies central to the Bible college curriculum. Interestingly, many attend a Bible college for a few years not because they’re called to full-time ministry, but simply to become grounded in God’s Word and to develop a biblical philosophy of life. Because Scripture must be the foundation upon which Christian ministry is built, an intensive understanding of God’s Word is the basis of the Bible college curriculum. The Bible college curriculum is designed to prepare the student to handle God’s Word effectively. The model is constructed so that a student completing a four-year bachelor’s degree has taken coursework throughout every book of the Bible. An Office Administration major graduates having had more Bible classes in a traditional Bible college than a Pastoral Studies major in most Christian liberal arts colleges. It’s the same model currently employed in Master of Divinity programs around the country. 6 visit the campus! prospective student guests qualify for 2 free nights and 6 free meals! A comprehensive view of God’s Word is necessary to build a solid hermeneutic and prepare the future minister for the inevitable battlefield ahead. The Bible college curriculum intentionally specializes in coursework crucial for successful spiritual warfare and “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” Without question, the Bible college is eternally grateful for its liberal arts sister colleges that are called to train laymen to a host of worthy occupations. These laymen fill our churches and uphold the hands of those called to fulltime ministerial positions. However, careful consideration should be given to the fact that specialization allows the Bible college freedom to devote their resources wholly to training people for the ministry, rather than spreading resources thin to support other occupational training programs. The Bible college offers its graduates a solid biblical foundation and philosophy for life. That is its entire reason for existence. All resources are directed toward the goal of doing one thing and one thing well—preparing soldiers for the battle of the Cross. The Bible college labors from a position of strength in ministry training. Through specialization, it is unquestionably the most qualified place to prepare for a lifetime of ministry. The atmosphere of the Bible college is unique and unattainable at a liberal arts college. It is impossible to adequately describe the power of a large number of single-minded people preparing for ministry. “Iron sharpening iron,” “life touching life,” “out-of-your-comfort-zone discipleship,” and “ground-swelling passion for ministry” are just a few ways it has been expressed. Imagine a single-minded faculty and staff, who serve by example in an institution whose single goal is to prepare biblically-sound servants of God. Imagine that faculty and staff having students in their homes and offices on a regular basis for one-on-one discipleship. Imagine a student body that hungers for God’s Word and readily voices their willingness to go to places where they may be martyred for His cause. Imagine a place where the word “discipline” doesn’t refer to demerits or a removal of privileges, but takes the true form of discipleship toward a goal: the total transformation of a life from the inside out, not the outside in. This is the traditional Bible college model. This is Northland Baptist Bible College. This model is not designed to attract a sizeable student body. Such cumbersome growth would only hinder its discipleship purposes. It is designed, like those specialized ice cream shops, to do ministry and Bible training better than others. Training in a Bible college is not for the faint of heart! As the Special Forces require rigorous training to prepare the soldier, a traditional Bible college works equally as hard to equip its soldiers for the most important battle, the battle for souls! It must not only teach the Word, but also the life patterns that will bring about a self-sacrificing mentality for the sake of the Gospel, for full-time vocational ministry, and for the glory of God. Take time to consider the value of specialization. Will it make a difference in your preparation for God’s call? become a vip and you’ll receive our monthly discipleship email, Voice of truth. 7 Let’s Make a Plan... F Terms You Need to Know FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid) Application used to determine aid eligibility SAR (Student Aid Report) Results of the FAFSA EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Family’s ability to contribute toward college expenses Verification Process through which information listed on the FAFSA is verified through tax documents and supplemental worksheets; failure to complete verification will result in the loss of aid. Independent Student To be considered an independent student, you must meet at least one of the following conditions: • At least 24 years old • Married • Children whom you support at least 50% of the time • Dependents whom you support that are not your children • Both parents are deceased, or you are a ward of the court • Currently serving on active duty in the armed forces • Veteran of the armed forces inancial aid can be a confusing and daunting process. Throughout the course of your application, please refer to the Northland Financial Aid Web site (www.nbbc.edu/financialaid) for tips on completing your application. Information Is Free! All information regarding federal financial aid is free and is available from a variety of sources: high school counselors, Northland financial aid office, Internet, etc. Here is one resource to answer some of your general financial aid questions: www.studentaid.ed.gov. How Do I Plan Ahead? College is very expensive, and with expenses rising each year, students and parents must educate themselves on the best ways to plan ahead. Academic Preparation: •Take the right junior high and high school courses to qualify for some of the available scholarships. •Maintain good grades throughout high school. •Visit college campuses and interview with students and faculty. •Complete your application process as soon as possible. Financial Preparation: •Savings—You need to begin saving for college as soon as possible. Research the possible tax incentives for different types of educational savings accounts. •Student Loans—Northland discourages students from borrowing but understands the necessity in some cases. Beware of fees and high interest rates attached to most private student loans. The financial aid office at Northland will view loans as a last resort in financing a student’s education. Applying for a PIN Information from the Department of Education is kept safe through the use of a PIN. Both the student and the parent will need PINs. You can apply for your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Keep this in a safe place. Should you lose your PIN or feel it has been compromised, please go to the Web site and request a new PIN. Gathering Information Throughout the process of applying for financial aid, you will be asked for many documents. Here is a list of the documents you will need to have available to complete your FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid): •Your social security number—please be sure to use the name listed on the social security card exactly as it appears •Your driver’s license or state identification card •Your 2008 W-2 forms and other records of money earned •Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) 2008 federal income tax return •Your parents’ 2008 federal income tax return (if you are a dependent student) •Your 2008 untaxed income records—Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records •Your most recent bank statements 8 contact [email protected] or become a vip to request the college and career decision-Making guide. •Your most recent business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stocks, bonds, and other investment records •Your alien registration number or permanent residence card (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Complete the FAFSA Early The FAFSA can be completed anytime after January 1 of the year you plan to begin attendance. If you have not yet filed your taxes, use estimated amounts. Once you have filed your taxes, you will need to amend your FAFSA. You can use the FAFSA 4-caster to see in advance what your financial eligibility will be. This can be found at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) once your FAFSA is complete. The number that determines your aid package is the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). This represents your ability to pay toward your education. Pell Grant eligibility is based on a graduated scale. Students with an EFC higher than $4,741 were not eligible for the Pell in the 2008–2009 school year. Students with EFC of zero were eligible for $4,731 in Pell Grant funds for the school year of 2008–2009. Financial Aid Awards Many types of grants and scholarships are available to students. Here are some of the financial aid programs available to Northland students today: Ministry Scholarship—This is a scholarship provided to Northland students whose head of the household is in full-time ministry. You can find the application at www.nbbc.edu/financialaid. Academic Scholarship—This is a scholarship provided to Northland students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher. The student must be enrolled with at least 15 credits. For more details please visit www.nbbc.edu/financialaid. Pell Grant—This is need-based grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Students can apply for the Pell Grant using the FAFSA. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant—The FSEOG is given by the U.S. Department of Education and supplemented by Northland. A student can qualify for up to $1,000 in grant money. FSEOG monies are limited to a first-come, first-served basis. Continued on the next page your vip website features an interactive tuition calculator. 9 Let’s Make a Plan... CONTINUED Academic Competitiveness Grant—The ACG, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, is available to freshmen and sophomores who have completed an advanced set of courses in high school. Freshmen qualify for $750 for the year, and sophomores who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA can qualify for $1,300 for the year. Here are the high school requirements: •Four years of English •Three years of math—including algebra I and a higher-level course such as algebra II, geometry, data analysis, or statistics •Three years of science—including at least two courses from biology, chemistry, or physics •Three years of social studies •One year of a foreign language The financial aid office will check freshman transcripts when we receive your FAFSA. Federal Work Study—You may work on campus and earn $6.50 per hour until you reach your maximum award (as assigned by the Financial Aid Office). Once you reach your award, you will make the Northland minimum wage. Loans—Northland will accept students with loans, but this will be done through much prayer and counseling. Parents may also apply for Parent PLUS loans. Please see the financial aid office for more information regarding loan applications. Understanding the Process Here are a few guidelines for understanding what happens to your financial aid information: 1. Student decides to attend college and applies for financial aid by completing the FAFSA. 2. FAFSA is sent to the CPS (Central Processing System). This is a thirdparty servicer for the U.S. Department of Education. Here your FAFSA will be matched to several databases, including social security, selective service, and homeland security. Please be sure to match your social security number with the name as it appears exactly on the card. 3. Student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Each school you listed on the FAFSA will receive a copy of the same report. This will be sent to you electronically if a valid e-mail address was included on your form. 4. The U.S. Department of Education requires at least 30 percent of all FAFSAs be chosen for verification. Most of the 30 percent will come from Pell recipients. You will be asked to submit all tax information used to prepare your FAFSA. Please be sure to sign the copy of your tax return that you will submit for verification. You will also be asked for W-2s to support all income reported. Three additional worksheets can be found on https://nbbc.vfao.com. The financial aid office is available to assist with the completion of the verification process. 5. Once the student has completed the above steps, aid will be scheduled. All financial aid is disbursed by semester. A notice will be sent to the student when money is posted to his or her account. Who Is Eligible for Financial Aid? Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need. Northland’s financial aid office will help you determine your eligibility. To receive aid from U.S. Department of Education programs, you must: • Demonstrate financial need. • Have a high school diploma, have a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or complete a high school education in a homeschool setting that is treated as such under state law. • Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. • Have a valid social security number. • Register with Selective Service. You can use FAFSA to register, register at www.sss.gov, or call (847) 688-6888. • Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school. • Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant. • Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes. How Will I Know What I’m Eligible For? The information you reported on your FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This information reports your family’s financial strength on the basis of your income and assets. The EFC determines your eligibility for federal student aid and indicates how much money you are able to contribute toward your education. If your EFC is below $4,731, you will be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements. The amount of your Pell Grant depends on your EFC, your cost of attendance, and your enrollment status. A financial aid administrator can consider special or unusual circumstances such as unusual medical expenses, unemployment, bankruptcy, or change in parent’s marital status. You will need to provide documentation to justify any change. The decision to change or not to change your dependency status is based on the aid administrator’s judgment, and it is final. It cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education. 10 IM or chat with your own admissions counselor. Start on your vip page. Tax Incentives for Education-Related Expenses There are many ways to defray the costs of a college education. Here are some tax incentive programs that can help your family pay the bills. For more information on these topics, please visit www.nbbc.edu/financialaid. Hope Credit • Tax credit of $1,500/year for each eligible student • 100% tax credit for the first $1,500 paid for qualified expenses. 50% tax credit for the second $1,000. • You may claim the Hope Credit for two years. Student must be in their first or second year and enrolled at least half time for one period of the tax year. Lifetime Learning Credit • May claim up to $2,000/year in federal taxes. • 20% tax credit for the first $5,000 paid for qualified expenses. After 2002, a 20% tax credit on the first $10,000 paid. • No limit on number of tax years you may claim Lifetime Learning Credit. Coverdell Education Savings Account For each child under age 18, families may deposit $2,000 per year into a Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly an Education IRA) in the child’s name. Earnings will accumulate tax-free until distributed. No taxes will be due upon withdrawal if the money is used to pay for postsecondary tuition and required fees, books, equipment, and eligible room and board expenses. Once the child reaches age 30, the account must be closed or transferred to a younger member of the family. Student Loan Interest Deduction • Parents and independent students may deduct interest on loans borrowed to meet college expenses. Using IRA withdrawals for college costs • You may withdraw from an IRA to pay higher education expenses for yourself, your spouse, your child, or your grandchild. • You will owe federal income tax on the amount withdrawn but will not be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty. Northland’s Loan Philosophy I n the past, Northland employed a “no-debt policy” regarding the timely payment of student tuition and room/board fees. The goal behind this policy was to help our students graduate debt-free, allowing them to enter the ministry immediately. However, as time has passed, families have continually asked Northland to allow them the freedom to utilize all of the resources available to help pay for college. We believe that God can and does miraculously provide money for school bills, but it is not our intention to limit the means by which God provides or to dictate to families how God should work in their individual circumstances. Since it is ultimately the responsibility of the student and his or her family to decide these matters in the light of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading, we now defer to them. At the same time, we consistently sound a firm warning against excessive debt for those going into the ministry and especially those called to a foreign mission field. With this in mind, Northland participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, which includes Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans as well as the Parent PLUS loan program. This is the only Federal loan program in which we participate. In accordance with our convictions, this program seeks to place reasonable caps on the amount a student can borrow and allows parents to carry a large portion of the responsibility by making lowinterest loans available to them for up to the cost of education. Finally, regardless of what students, parents, and pastors decide concerning the financing of educational expenses, our heartfelt desire is that they would carefully consider incurring any debt in light of a biblical philosophy of stewardship. In the financial counseling we give our students, we will continue to put a strong emphasis upon God-dependence and will caution students not to accumulate a heavy debt load. Therefore, we reserve the right not to certify a loan or to certify it for less than the amount requested if we feel that the loan would not be in the best interest of the student’s future ministry. more financial information can be found at: www.nbbc.edu/financialaid. 11 Top Ten Financial Aid Questions 1 Should I pay for help to fill out my FAFSA? No, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for instructions or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID. 2 What is a PIN, and where do I use it? The Personal Identification Number (PIN) serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. The PIN also allows you to sign your federal student aid application online and allows you to correct your application data online. You can apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. You can use your PIN to access your financial aid data at these U.S. Department of Education Web sites: www.fafsa.ed.gov—You will use your PIN to complete your application, sign it, or process corrections. www.nslds.ed.gov—Here you can view a history of the federal student financial aid you have received 3 I lost my PIN. What should I do? If you have lost or forgotten your PIN, you will need to request that it be sent to you again. If you think that someone else may know your PIN, or you believe your PIN may have been compromised when it was lost, FAFSA can generate a new PIN for you. 4 How can I check the status of my FAFSA application? At any point during the processing period, you can use your PIN to check the status of your FAFSA or to check on a correction you made to your FAFSA. 5 6 Can I add a school code to my form? You may either make the correction online or with your PIN. What is the deadline for the FAFSA application? Submit your application as early as possible, but no earlier than January 1 (prior to the start of school) and no later than May 9 (prior to the last day of school) for the academic year you will be attending. For instance, if you are planning to attend NBBC during the 2009–2010 school year, you may submit your FAFSA no earlier than January 1, 2009, and no later than May 9, 2010. 12 AS A VIP, YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR WILL BE A CURRENT STUDENT. 7 I haven’t finished my taxes yet. What should I do? You may estimate your tax amounts for now. Once you have completed your tax forms, make the corrections to your file on the Internet using your PIN. Student Bios 8 Every student is different, and aid packages are tailored to meet each student’s needs. Here are three examples of NBBC students and how they’re getting help with their college bills. Why do I have to provide my parents’ information on the FAFSA? When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to the questions in step two will determine whether you are considered dependent on your parents or independent. If you are considered dependent, your parents’ income and assets as well as your own must be reported on the FAFSA. Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the principle that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are considered the primary source of support for postsecondary education. 9 How can I check the status of my student loans? You should contact the guarantor of your loan. If you don’t know who holds your loan, you can use www.nslds.ed.gov (using your PIN) to find your federal student loans. The site displays information on loans and/or federal grants, outstanding balances, loan statuses, and disbursements. To use the NSLDS Student Access Web site, you will need to provide your social security number, the first two letters of your last name, your date of birth, and your PIN. 10 I have questions about my financial aid award. Who should I contact? Contact the Northland financial aid office at (715) 324-6900 or by e-mail, financialaid@ nbbc.edu. Your financial aid award will combine various forms of aid into a “package” to help meet a your need. Because funds are often limited, a financial aid package might fall short of the amount a student is eligible for. Kristen Nelson (Junior, 2008-2009) Hometown: Sanford, Michigan Major: Biblical Counseling Pell Grant = $3,381 NBBC Academic Scholarship = $3,000 Total Aid = $6,381 If you wish to speak with a person regarding a financial aid questions, please call one of the telephone numbers below: FAFSA: (800) 4-FED-AID NBBC: (715) 324-6900 ext. 3150 E-mail: [email protected] www.nbbc.edu/financialaid and use the Contact Us link. Michael Cutler (Freshman, 2008-2009) Hometown: Lees Summit, Missouri Major: Evangelism Pell Grant = $4,741 Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant = $1,000 NBBC Academic Scholarship= $3,000 Academic Competitiveness Grant = $750 Federal Work Study = $1,000 Total Aid = $10,491 Jonathan Allston (Junior, 2007-2008) Hometown: Taylors, South Carolina Major History Pell Grant = $4,260 NBBC Ministry Scholarship = $2,000 NBBC Heart Scholarship = $2,500 Stafford Loan = $3,000 Total Aid = $11,760 GET A GLIMPSE OF LIFE AT NORTHLAND THROUGH YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR’S SLICE OF LIFE BLOG-MAIL. 13 Key Milestones U se this handy reference calendar to remind yourself of milestones you must meet while preparing for college. Freshman Year Fall Term • Schedule time to meet with your guidance counselor and plan a strategy of courses that will meet college entrance requirements. •Plan ahead and study hard! The Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded to college freshmen and sophomores, and is given based on your completed high school transcript. Meet with your guidance counselor to ensure that your high school plans include the following classes in order to receive this award: 1. Four years of English 2. Three years of math (including algebra I and a higher level course such as algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics). 3. Three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry, or physics) 4. Three years of social studies/history 5. One year of a foreign language Sophomore Year September •Speak with your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT/NMSQT and the PLAN in preparation for the SAT and ACT. October •Take the PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN. Sophomore-year PSAT/NMSQT scores will not count toward the National Merit Scholarship Competition, but it is good practice. December •Receive results of PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN. Consult with your guidance counselor to investigate ways to improve your scores on standardized tests. Junior Year September •Map out a testing schedule for the coming year, including the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT. Pick the test dates that will work with your schedule, taking into account family events, extracurricular activities, and holidays. •Register for the October PSAT/NMSQT. •Meet with your guidance counselor to review your course plan for the school year and plan your senior schedule. •Check your course transcript. Are you on track to complete all the credits required by schools you are interested in applying to? •Begin to establish criteria for the college search: You can request a College and Career Decision-Making Guide through Northland’s Admissions Office. February October April •Take the PSAT/NMSQT. Scores are important, as they are used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement program; plus, it’s good practice for the SAT. •Start doing a search for financial aid. Options include grants, loans, and scholarships. December •Receive results of the PSAT/NMSQT. Consult your guidance counselor to consider whether an SAT prep course would be a good investment. 14 PERSONALIZE YOUR VIP PAGE WITH THE MAJOR(S) YOU CHOOSE. •Contact the colleges you are interested in to find out if they prefer the ACT or the SAT. (NBBC prefers the ACT, but does accept the SAT.) Spring Break •Visit schools that interest you. Schedule a campus visit to NBBC by calling (715) 3246900, ext. 3000. Prospective student groups qualify for two free nights and six free meals! •Consider registering for the May and June SAT and ACT test dates; it’s not too early to start testing. •Re-evaluate your list of potential schools and eliminate those that no longer interest you. •Begin searching for financial aid. May •If you’re enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, you will take the appropriate AP tests. •Continue to visit colleges. Call ahead and ask for appointments with the departments of financial aid and admissions, academic advisors, professors, and students. Senior Year September •Continue to research financial aid options. •Make sure you have all applications required for financial aid and admission. •Check admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools you plan to apply to. •Register for the fall ACT and/or SAT test dates as needed. •Obtain letters of recommendation and plan college visits. October •Meet with your guidance counselor to review your final list of colleges. •File early decision applications if you have made a decision. •Attend college fairs to further investigate the colleges where you would like to apply. •Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges on your short list. November •Start writing and editing your application essays. •Complete your college applications (make copies before mailing). December •Mail all applications. •Schedule your college admission interviews. January •File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. You can file the form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or request a paper form by calling (800) 4-FED-AID (433-3243). Talk to your counselor about special forms your state might require. •Request that your school send your grade reports/transcripts to the colleges you applied to. •Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. Contact the colleges to see if they require any other forms. If so, contact the schools’ financial aid offices or your counselor. •Contact the colleges and confirm that all application materials (transcripts, recommendations, and financial aid forms) have been received. Freshman • Plan a strategy to meet college entrance and ACG requirements. Sophomore • Take PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN in preparation for SAT and ACT. Junior • Review course plan with guidance counselor and plan senior schedule. • Start search for financial aid. • Visit colleges of interest. • Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT. Senior • Set up college interviews and visits. • Review final college choices with guidance counselor. • File early action or early decision applications. • Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT and send results to colleges. • Obtain federal and state financial aid forms. • Send all application materials to colleges. • Review acceptances, and then make a decision. February •If you have not received your Student Aid Report (SAR) and more than four weeks has passed since you filed your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center. You can use your PIN to electronically track the FAFSA through processing. •Complete scholarship applications. April •Review acceptances and compare financial aid packages. May •By May 1, you should make your decision about which college you will attend and send in your acceptance of the school’s offer along with any other necessary paperwork. •Notify other prospective colleges that you have selected another school. June •Ask your counselor to forward your final transcript to the college of your choice and let them know of any additional financial aid you will receive. Finally, contact the school and determine when fees are due for tuition and room and board. By Sally Wood A freelance writer and editor from Marionville, Missouri. She worked as a high school counselor in the Aurora R-VIII School District in Aurora, Missouri, from 1980-2000. CONTACT [email protected] OR BECOME A VIP TO REQUEST A VIEWBOOK, INTERACTIVE CD, COURSE CATALOG, OR APPLICATION. 15 Northland can help you give BEN a break! Ministry Scholarship Academic Scholarship $4,500 per year $3,000 per year The Ministry Scholarship, awarded to students with parents in full-time ministry, is $4,500 per year or $18,000 over the course of four years. The Academic Scholarship is $1,500 per semester for those who qualify. In addition to these two scholarships, our Demonstrated Need and Heart scholarships are available to all Northland students with significant need. One quickly sees how Northland not only prepares servant-leaders for Great Commission living, but by God’s grace through faithful donors, endeavors to keep that training as affordable as possible. For more information about financial aid, call us at 888-4-Northland or go to www.nbbc.edu/financialaid. 81JLF1MBJOT3Et%VOCBS8*